Spotting typically looks like small spots or light patches of blood that can be pink, red, or brown in color. It is much lighter than a regular menstrual period and usually appears as a few drops on underwear, toilet paper, or a pantyliner rather than a steady flow requiring a pad or tampon

. Key visual characteristics of spotting include:

• Light bleeding that may appear as small spots or streaks rather than a continuous flow

• Blood color can vary from bright red or pink (fresh blood) to brown (older blood that has oxidized)

• The blood may be thinner and sometimes mixed with cervical mucus, giving it a watery or lighter appearance compared to thicker period blood

• Spotting can occur irregularly at any time in the menstrual cycle, often around ovulation, implantation in early pregnancy, or due to hormonal changes

Spotting is generally less intense than a period and may not require sanitary protection, though some people use pantyliners for comfort

. It can be confused with the start or end of a period, which sometimes begins or ends with spotting-like light bleeding

. In summary, spotting looks like light, irregular, and often pink, red, or brown spots or streaks of blood, much lighter and less consistent than menstrual bleeding